The Big Feastival, Kingham, The Cotswolds (August)

Presented by Alex James, The Big Feastival is a unique weekend celebration of music, food and fun for all the family. It’s held in August and set on Alex’s idyllic Cotswolds farm.

Festival Goers eating in a big tent

The Big Feastival food tent. All Photos: The Big Feastival

The Big Feastival is a firm favourite with families and foodies around the UK. It’s a lip-smackingly delicious and fun-filled day out or August Bank Holiday weekend in the glorious Cotswolds.

Londoners and tourists can leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind by jumping on a train at Paddington station and alighting at Kingham station just under 90 minutes later. The farm is a 3-minute walk away – as Jamie Oliver would say “easy peasy lemon squeezy”.

The music line-up, and celebrity chefs taking part in the festival, changes every year so be sure to check out the festival website for the latest announcements.

The Foodie Travel Guide

Have Family Fun at The Big Feastival

With its food and music theme, this really is a unique festival. It’s a festival with heart too as funds are raised for charities such as Action Against Hunger. Be a festival-goer for the day, camp for the weekend or treat yourself to a luxurious glamping experience. The farm is owned by writer, musician and cheesemaker Alex James who is best known as the bass player in Blur.

Children playing giant bubbles
Festival family with flowers garlands

Groove The Night Away

There’s music from top acts with performances in previous years from artists such Paloma Faith and Groove Armada and demos from big name chefs including Raymond Blanc, Monica Galetti, Tom Kerridge and Nathan Outlaw.

Take Part in a Cheese Tasting

Alex James has turned his hand to cheese making (we recommend reading his book All Cheeses Great and Small – A Life Less Blurry). Festival go-ers can taste, try and buy his entire range of artisan cheeses. Discover cheeses such as Goddess which is washed in Somerset cider brandy and Blue Monday which has streaks of piquant blue. The tasting takes part in the Cheese Hub, an all day cocktail bar where Alex himself and a variety of special guests, spin tunes from late afternoon until close of play each night resulting in quite the party.

Feast The Night Away

Eat and shop ’til your heart’s content with delicious food from the cream of the UK’s street food crop. Once you’ve had your fill, join in a cookery class or get to know inspiring food producers such as the Primrose Bakery, Riverford Organics and Neal’s Yard.

Festival Tents at Sunset

Go to The Big Top

Your kids will thank you for taking them to the Big Top and vintage funfair. For a taste of the country, meet the farms animals from Adam Henson’s nearby Cotswold Farm Park or hang out at the Village Green.


Tips

  • The Big Feastival is easily accessible by car and parking is free
  • If you’re camping, you’re welcome to bring your own food and drink to the campsite area
  • Looking for a gift? Check out our guide to the Best Gifts For Cheese Lovers

Where to Stay in Kingham

Most people opt for glamping at the festival but if you don’t fancy that there are holiday cottages in Kingham including:

Pear Tree Cottage – a cosy and pretty holiday cottage with two bedrooms

Badger Cottage – a comfortable holiday cottage with two bedrooms and a garden

 

For hotels and pubs with rooms nearby, check out these recommendations for the Best Places to Stay in The Cotswolds


Dogs

Fox terrier, Mr Hendricks expert dog friendly days out Cotswolds

They tell me that as much as they love dogs, things would get a little chaotic if every man and his dog came along. So they’ve decided the men (and women and children) can come but the dogs must stay at home. Guide and assistance dogs are, of course, welcome.

Mr Hendricks


How to Find the Big Feastival

The Big Feastival site is on Alex James’ farm near Kingham, Oxfordshire, OX7 6UJ

Website: www.thebigfeastival.com

The Foodie Travel Guide

The Foodie Travel Guide

Sally is the founder and editor of The Foodie Travel Guide. She travels around the UK and beyond in search of the best foodie days out, tasting experiences and delicious places to stay. She loves a glass of English sparkling wine, afternoon tea with friends and escaping London for gastronomic adventures.